Prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Rural Housewives in Central India

Abstract

Introduction: Domestic work that includes cleaning, cooking, moping, tidying up, and procurement of basic amenities often extends to the entire day and requires significant physical, emotional, and intellectual labor. The economic burden of musculoskeletal pain is ranked as second to that of cardiovascular disease. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among the rural housewives in Central India and to find out the association of prevalence with demographic variables. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 housewives who were selected through random sampling from the villages of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. Demographic proforma and the standardized musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire were used to collect data regarding MSDs after obtaining all legal permissions. Statistical Package for Social Sciences 16 was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Around 61% (303) housewives were around 61% (303) were suffering with musculoskeletal discomforts and out of them 39.27% had pain at the hip region, 37.95% were suffering with lower backache and 19.47% had pain in both knees. There was a significant association (P < 0.05) of the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomforts with age, body mass index, marital status, no. of children, and monthly income. Conclusion: Housewives’ socio-economic and physical health status are contributing risk factors toward the prevalence of MSDs. The social, psychological, and work-related factors are not only affecting the housewife’s health and safety it also reducing the gross productivity. Thus, an education and practice of good posture, ergonomic measures, health schemes, and health awareness among rural housewives are very much required.